To the Contrary Season 20 Episode 5 April 15, 2011

To the Contrary is a weekly news and analysis program that features all-female panel discussions on hot-button, sometimes controversial, social, and political issues in the United States. Season 20, episode 5, titled "April 15, 2011," aired on PBS stations around the country on, you guessed it, April 15, 2011.

The episode is scheduled to kick off with a segment on the feminist movement's role in the ongoing protests against authoritarian regimes in the Arab world, particularly in Libya and Egypt. The To the Contrary team invites special guests who have first-hand experiences of the uprising in these nations and will share their perspectives on the "Arab Spring" and whether or not it's improving the status of women.

Next on the show's agenda is a dissection of the controversial new rule mandating that all employers, including religious-affiliated institutions, provide health insurance that covers birth control. Host Bonnie Erbe and the panel explore the arguments from both sides of the debate – women's rights and religious freedom – on whether this is a healthcare reform or an infringement of First Amendment rights.

The episode then shifts its focus to the issue of working mothers and whether it's possible to balance a career and family successfully. Two working mothers who are also high-profile professionals – Dr. Suzanne Barston, a freelance writer, and Jennifer Barrett, Director of Education with Acorns – join in the discussion and share their tips for managing time, juggling tasks, and dealing with mommy guilt.

Rounding out the episode is a segment on the trend of educated American women – particularly those in their 20s and 30s – who are not only choosing to remain single and independent but are also not having children. The segment features interviews with women who have opted out of parenthood and highlights their reasons and how society's expectations have shifted over the years.

Viewers can expect to hear forthright, honest, and sometimes conflicting opinions from each of the intelligent and articulate women that make up the To the Contrary panel. Erbe and her colleagues refuse to shy away from challenging topics that face women in today's society, and they are dedicated to providing a platform where an array of ideas and beliefs can be shared.

Overall, season 20, episode 5 of To the Contrary covers a broad spectrum of topics that the modern American woman can relate to. From reproductive rights to civil rights, from the Arab Spring to the work/life balance, from societal expectations to personal choices, To the Contrary isn't afraid to tackle complicated, thought-provoking subject matter.